Double-acting chain-type pipe vise



948. M. L. NIELSON DOUBLE-ACTING CHAIN-TYPE PIPE VISE I Filed Sept. 26, 1945 Patented Dec. 7, 1948 UNITED pnonctc norme onam'rrre rim Morgan Nielson,-Ri chmond, Q a'lif. Application September 26, 1M5, Serial No. 6.18541 1 Claim.

This invention relates to tools, and more especially to an improved form of pipe vise of the chain-grip type.

An object of the invention is to provide a chaingrip pipe vise with means for tightening the gripping-chain equally on both sides of the pipe.

Another object is to provide such a pipe vise, particularly for marine use, with means for preventing any tendency for lateral rolling of the pipe as the vise chain is tightened around it.

A further object is to provide the said type of pipe vise with means for increasing the leverage or gripping power of the vice jaws around the pipe.

A still further object is to provide all these advantages, and others, in a arise which is of rugged construction, of simple parts which are economical to make and assemble, which can be quickly adjusted to a tight grip on the pipe, and as quickly and easily released, which is adjustable to grip pipes of various sizes in non-rolling manner, and the operation of which will be self-apparent to any mechanic or layman without prior instruction.

All these and other objects, as suggested herebelow, are attained by the method and means now to be described, and illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which- Figure 1 is a perspective view of applicant's vise in gripping position around a pipe.

And Fig. 2 is a similar View, somewhat more to one side, but showing only the vise before receiving the pipe.

Like numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views.

To clearly understand applicants improvement, the former pipe-vise and method of use will first be described. This conventional type comprises a base having notched V-jaws in which the pipe to be held rests. A length of block chain, anchored at one end to the base, extends upwardly and over the pipe and is secured in a screw-operated hook mounted on the opposite side of the base. In tightening the chain, the pipe has a tendency to roll slightly, since the movement of the chain is toward the side of the base carrying the tightening screw. In most shops, pipe structures are fabricated from centerlines scribed on the outer surface of the pipe, and,

due to this rolling in tightening the chain, a prelocated center-line may be moved out of registry with a horizontal or vertical plane, thus requiring checking and re-location. When a large volume of work is passing through the shop, as in shipyards, this requirement of checking and re-set- 2. ting of the work in the -vise consumes and wastes considerable valuable production time.

Now, applicants device as here disclosed, comprises a base l2 adapted as shown to be suitably affixed to a bench 22, with a major part of the base extending over the edge of the bench.

Parallel spaced jaws [0, II, are vertically positioned and affixed integral with base [2, substantially as shown, each jaw having identical V- shaped and toothed or serrated notches in their upper edges, adapted to receive pipes of diiferent diameters. Between these base jaws II), II are pivotally mounted a pair of levers l8, H on pivots l8, [9, respectively; and each said lever has both its inner and outer ends notched or fork-shaped in manner as shown to receive therein and hold a link of the block-chain. That is to say, in the outer end of lever H the end of the chain 20 is secured, as by pivot pin 2|; and the corresponding notch of the other lever I6 is adapted to receive an intermediate portion of said chain, the prongs passing between a pair of the chain rivets at any desired link position along the chain.

The vise screw l3, terminating at its lower end in operating hand wheel I4, is threaded up through the bottom of the base l2, as shown, and has a grooved head l5 engaging the prongs at the inner end of each lever.

As screw I3 is rotated by wheel l4 clockwise from below to elevate its upper end, the outer end of each lever l6, l1 will be moved downwardly, thus tightening the chain 20 about the pipe 23. And since the downward pull on the chain is equal on each side of the pipe, none of the objectionable rolling of the pipe will occur, and so the pipe will remain in its originally set position.

Increased leverage or gripping power on the pipe results from the combination of the hand wheel 14, the screw l3, and the leverage of levers I6, I], whose pivot points were so located on the successful device developed from this concept that a leverage of 1 to 3 additionally was obtained.

The block chain aids in gripping the pipe around the top surface, between the pair of gripping jaws engaging the bottom of the pipe, and the increased power of the vise, due to the leverage, gives a tremendous balanced grip with minimum exertion at the hand wheel.

Having now described the invention, what is claimed as new and for which Letters Patent of the United States is desired, is:

In a .pipe vise, a frame comprising a base and axes, pivotal connection means between the inner ends of said levers and the upper end of said screw whereby rotation of said screw pivotally moves said levers, and a flexible pipe holding member connected to the outer ends of said levers at equi-distant points from the axis of said screw,

at least one connection thereof being adjustable lengthwise of said holding member. v

MORGAN L. NIELSON.

4 REFERENCES crrEn The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 670,335 Tliden et a1 Mar. 19, 1901 1,015,667 Caryl Jan. 23, 1912 1,054,662 Amborn ........1.- Mar. 4, 1913 1,439,000 Jacobs Dec. 19, 1922 1;4=94,48'I Jacobs May 20, 1924 1,665,182 Sutthery Apr. 3, 1928 1,766,366 Welch et a1. June 24, 1930 Kahlil! Dec. 19, 1939 

